To the editor:
There were a few errors in the article entitled “Providers say child care needs change to survive” in the Sept. 21, 2022, edition of the Aroostook Republican that I would like to address. I have had a family child care in my home for the past 29 years (not 24). My capacity is 12 children (not 10)
The new rules concerning the Child and Adult Care Food Program are by the federal government, United States Department of Agriculture, Maine Department of Education, and not the Department of Health and Human Services.
It is true that our food reimbursement rules have changed and now we are to follow the same guidelines as schools regarding how many grains we serve our children. We will soon have to weigh (with a kitchen scale) and measure (with a ruler) any grains that we plan to serve our children. This includes crackers, pasta, breads, etc.
It makes no sense to have a small home day care take on this added task to an already busy day. There is simply not enough time in the day. We need the public’s help to fight this new rule.
Please contact the politicians who can, hopefully, stop this new rule going forward. I think I speak for all of the home providers when we ask to leave our food forms as they currently are.
Politicians that can aid us would be: Sen. Susan Collins, 207-493-7873, collins.senate.gov/contact; Sen. Angus King, 207-764-5124, king.senate.gov/contact; Rep. Jared Golden, 207-492-6009, info@jaredgoldenforcongress.com; Gov. Janet Mills, 207-287-3531, maine.gov/governor/mills/contact. You can also contact the Maine Department of Education at 207-592-1722.
Theresa Dube
Caribou
